1879 25C Washlady Quarter Dollar, Judd-1591, Pollock-1784,
R.6-7, PR65+ Cameo
Red and Brown NGC. Charles Barber's Washlady obverse depicts a
head of Liberty with her hair bound behind her head. The motto IN
GOD WE TRUST appears in small letters at the upper border with the
date below and stars to the left and right. An eagle on the reverse
has wings displayed, holding an olive branch and three arrows. The
legend UNITED STATES OF AMERICA and motto E PLURIBUS UNUM placed at
the upper border with the denomination QUAR. DOLLAR below. Struck
in copper with a reeded edge.
However unpopular the "Washlady" design may have been in its own
time, it is one of the few Charles Barber designs many contemporary
collectors will admit to liking, if indeed they know he was the
artist behind it. This is an impressively preserved example of the
quarter size in copper, practically a Premium Gem with primarily
copper-gold and peach surfaces which show just a touch too much
peripheral mellowing to qualify for a fully Red designation. In any
event, the Star is well-deserved.From The Thompson Collection of US Patterns. (PCGS# 71968)